A statement today from Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh says the dropping jobless rate is "a testament to the difference pro-growth economic policies can have on job creation."

Alabama's December unemployment rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.7 percent in November and 10 percent in July.

The statement from Hubbard and Marsh says laws enacted last year are improving Alabama's job climate, including:

>>>A crackdown on illegal immigration, which sent "a clear message that only legal workers could hold jobs here." (Most economists say it is too early to tell if the immigration law is having an effect, but the matter is hotly debated.)

State Sen. Del Marsh

"The decrease in unemployment proves that our efforts are succeeding and only strengthens our dedication to continue cutting red tape and proposing innovative solutions to help job creators put Alabama back to work," Marsh said.

They point out that Alabama's rate is lower than neighboring states with Tennessee at 8.7 percent; Georgia, 9.7 percent; Florida, 9.9 percent; and Mississippi, 10.4 percent.